The Hiding Place

Rating:
Summary: Amazing story of a family's resistance against the Nazis
Review: This is an amaizing story of the Ten Boom family's participation in helping Jewish refugees during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Corrie wrote many books after this one, but this is by far the most famous. Billy Graham's organization made a movie out of this story during the 1970's with the same title. This is the story of a family of devout Christians who did all they could to help those in need when they were facing the terrible occupation of their country during World War Two. There are many memorable parts of the book, but one of my favorites is when a prison Lieutenant is discussing with Corrie the value of mentally retarded children. Corrie and her sister had done work with retarded children as part of their church work. The Lieutenant told her that surely God did not value a "half-wit as much as a normal person." The response by Corrie was, "How would I know if God does not value a half-wit more than he does a watchmaker (Corrie's profession). Or, even a Lieutenant." That response by Corrie ended their conversation. That is one of the passages that has stuck with me, along with many others. This book brings to mind that there are many people right now, that are suffering, or imprisoned, for their religious beliefs, and makes that fact more real.

Rating:
Summary: lots of sadness, but filled of joy
Review: This story is heartbreaking - I cry every time I read it. But what makes it so wonderful is how much hope and joy and encouragement it holds as well. This story is told through the eyes of Corrie Ten Boom, who, with her father, sister, and a network of underground Dutch patriots, hide Jews in her home during the Nazi occupation in WWII. Corrie suffers tremendously for her actions, and it is within the confines of a concentration camp that some incredibly profound lessons are learned. One of the beautiful things about this book is how honest Ms. Ten Boom is about her faults and failings in herself and her faith. This is contrasted with the absolutely amazing faith of her father, and her sister Betsie. They trust God completely, and their reactions to the pain and suffering they experience are amazing, almost unbelievable. The Hiding Place is beautifully written, and has become a classic in Christian literature.